Scuba dive cleanup day planned

Monday

Apr 29, 2013 at 3:41 PM

By Peter Becker

Managing Editor

PALMYRA TWP. (PIKE)– How about a scuba diver's cleanup day?

This is another innovation being discussed by the Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Management District (LWWMD) in their continual mission to advance a clean lake and environment around it to keep the lake water pure as possible.

Nick Spinelli, District Administrator, suggested at their District board meeting April 17, to sponsor a scuba diving contest to clean up an area of the lake bottom. Spinelli is a member of the Tafton Dive Team.

He suggested inviting local dive teams on Saturday, September 14, to head to the deep and see what they find. Prizes could be awarded for unusual items retrieved.

When the lake was drawn down two years ago, Spinelli said, around the perimeter of Epply Island he counted 15 pairs of sunglasses.

The event could be fun, supportive of their local dive teams and good public relations for the LWWMD, he said. The board gave full approval. "It will be interesting to see what comes up," board member Tom Oakley said.

For several years, the District has co-hosted a lake shore cleanup, with PPL. Open only to lake shore residents, in 2012, 14 tons of Styrofoam, pieces of wood from docks and metal junk were collected. Another is planned for the late spring.

Ride for the Lake

• The second annual "Ride for the Lake" is planned during Wally Lake Fest, Saturday, August 24. Motorcyclists will be invited to sign up for the ride completely around Lake Wallenpaupack. Proceeds benefit LWWMD's mission.

Brian Schan, who chairs the Fund-raising Committee, said they are planning to lengthen the ride and go in the opposite direction this year. Bikers will leave from the Wallenpaupack Area High School and turn right, heading to Route 507. The route will go to Route 191 and back to Ledgedale Road, and then follow closer to the lake.

The route is being extended from 29 miles to 41 miles.

Schan said he hopes to encourage biker groups to participate.

• On Saturday, May 11, the public may join the "LWWMD Paddle" in the area of Mangan Cove, possibly reaching the Wilsonville beach. Spinelli said they will depart at 12 noon. People may bring their own kayak or rent one from Northeast Wilderness Experience. The event includes an educational program about how the District takes water quality samples.

• Katie Lester, who represents PPL on the board, reported that goose hunting will not be allowed on the lake. PPL has decided to prohibit hunting of fowl on Wallenpaupack due to liability and difficulty to giving adequate warning to the public on such a huge lake.

LWWMD board meets on the third Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the PPL Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center. The office may be reached at 226-3865.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The story, "Watershed District weighs response" in the April 24th edition incorrectly attributed statements to LWWMD board member Carol Gwozdziewycz. She was not at the meeting. Instead, the comments should have been attributed to board member Sally Corrigan.

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